Author note: a new chapter: Tina goes to talk to Coach Beiste. I hope you enjoy this one.

We're a group of players, not a team

Shannon Beiste was writing at her desk, all the bays finally had gone home, she had time to think about those disastrous five seconds. What the hell had Karofsky been thinking, letting his team hang like that? And all this bevause a couple of guys were in Glee Club? She just couldn't understand it. And worse: she hadn't the faintest idea how she could fix this problem. Lost in her thoughts she didn't hear the person coming to her desk, so she was a little startled when she heard Tina say: "Coach Beiste?" Shannon quickly looked up taking the smaller girl in: "Hello miss Cohen-Chang. Have you loosened Mr. Chang?" John had told Shannon that, like other times, Tina had take over the massage of Mike. Coach Beiste had only once overseen such a session, to make sure it was indeed just a massage and nothing else. She had seen the effect it had had on Mike and immediately accepted the occasional arrangement.

"I gave him a long massage and we had a lengthy conversation about this game, the team and Glee Club." Tina didn't see the twinkle in coach Beiste's eyes: "Mike truly is sorry, but he really needed that moment. I think he was more nervous than usual…" Tina rambled, quickly feeling herself blush. Coach Beiste saw her discomfort and quickly interjected: "Miss Cohen-Chang, it is okay. Mr. Chang already apologized. Now why are you here? Don't you need to soap Mr. Changs back?" Tina raised her hands, showing the water soaked sleeves: "I already did."

"You just love taking care of him, don't you? No, no don't blush. Considering the events today and the team meeting I just had, I'm really glad to see someone taking vare of someone in this team."

"This rivalry between Glee club and the football team isn't new. Last year we had the same problem." Tina twisted her sleeves, clearly nervous. Coach Beiste patiently waited.

"Last year coach Tanaka made them choose between Glee and football. Please tell me you won't do that to them again. I think it would kill them. They all love football, even Artie, but you should see them at Glee: they are all so different. It would be so cruel to make them choose." Tina's plea ended with her looking straight into coach Beiste eyes. Coach Beiste could see the love she had for their Glee guys and Mike especially, because even though she hadn't said his name out loud, coach Beiste was sure he was the one Tina had been thinking about. Coach Beiste rose from her seat and walked to the other side of the desk, where she perched on the edge, looking at Tina: "I won't make them choose. You are right it wouldn't be fair to them. Besides it won't solve anything." Coach Beiste saw Tina was still dubious.

"Tina, I promise you: I will not make Mike or any of the others choose." Slowly Tina nodded.

"Really?" Both coach Beiste and Tina turned to Mike, his hair still wet and backpack slung over one shoulder. "Really mr. Chang." Mike walked to Tina's side, watching her, questions in his eyes. "I had to be sure Mike. You love playing football, your eyes sparkle when you tell me about games, plays, players and teams. I don't want you to lose that." Mike smiled and threw his arm around Tina's shoulder and kissed her on her temple. "I love you Tina."

Coach Beiste cleared her throat and both Tina and Mike turned to her: "But likewise: I won't throw Karofsky off the team."

"Please don't, the blame will just go to the Glee club, making this only harder." Mike said.

"There's that, but Karofsky is a very good player, like all the others players and we need the entire team to win the championship."

"Coach Beiste, with all due respect: we are a group of good players, not a team." Mike said, Beiste watched him, intrigued and surprised. She knew he was right, but hadn't thought any of her players would know this. "What do you mean?" She was curious, she wanted to know just how insightful Mike and, considering Tina's firm nod, Tina were.

"In a team you set personal differences aside when you are playing or performing. You should have seen our Glee club in the green room before sectionals this year. People were angry and disappointed at or with each other, they didn't want to go out there and perform, but in the end they all did and no one took those issues out on that stage. Everybody gave their all. That's what a team is, what being in a team means. Being there for each other, not focusing on your own gain but on what is best for the team." Mike said, firmly believing what he said. It was what he had always believed and he had always acted like it, that was why he was always disappointed when a teammate dropped the team like Karofsky had done. He had explained this to Tina during that green room debacle, when she was angry with him. Now he felt Tina nod her ascent next to him.

Coach Beiste was impressed, she had of course heard that Mike, and Tina come to that, were amongst the most intelligent students. After all they had been asked to join forces for the Brainiacs team. But still to have such a clear view of teams, it was impressive. "Mister Chang and miss Cohen-Chang, you two are remarkable students and I agree with you. I still don't know how to solve the problem, but I thank you for your input."

"Why don't you talk to mr. Schuester? Maybe he can help you." Tina said, thinking fondly of the Glee club director. Coach Beiste nodded: "I'll do that, I was already planning to do so. Now go home and enjoy the weekend." Mike and Tina both nodded: "Thank you, coach Beiste, enjoy your weekend." With that they left, leaving coach Beise with her thoughts.

Shannon smiled softly, those two made a great couple. Shannon hoped that they realized how lucky they were, but something told her they knew that.

Author note: I hope you liked this chapter, please review and tell me what you think of the story so far.